Rookie quarterback CJ Stroud of the Houston Texans was being interviewed after leading his team to a 45-14 win over the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the NFL playoffs began his interview by praising Jesus.
“First and foremost, I just want to give all glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Stroud said before talking about the city of Houston and the support he’s received from fans during his first year with the team.
When the “Sunday Night Football on NBC” X account posted a video of the interview, however, the first line of Stroud’s interview was edited out and the caption on the post simply stated, “CJ Stroud has a lot of love for his city.”
NBC edited out Houston QB CJ Stroud's praise of Jesus Christ in their post-game interview posted to X.
Why did @SNFonNBC remove Stroud saying "First and foremost, I just want to give all glory and praise to my Lord, Jesus Christ." https://t.co/gmmmn2HeFT pic.twitter.com/H2R7qzVGGO
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) January 17, 2024
Stroud was being interviewed by NBC’s Kathryn Tappen after a game in which he torched a Browns team that boasts one of the best defenses in the NFL. Stroud went 16-21 passing for 276 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
With the win, the 22-year-old Stroud became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win a playoff game, and Tappen asked Stroud about the experience.
“CJ, your first playoff game and your first NFL season, and a record-setting performance for you. What does this moment mean?” Tappen asked.
Stroud has been vocal about faith throughout his first year in the league and has consistently deflected praise from his on-field performance and instead given that praise to Jesus.
In November, when Stroud first began being named in the MVP conversation, he described the role that his faith played in his performance on the field.
“For me, it’s a lot of prayer,” Stroud explained. “A lot of knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I can’t handle. I don’t deserve His grace and His mercy, but He still gives it to me and I love Him for that. It’s not about me, it’s about Him and His glory. So I think that’s where it comes from. I think God made me like that.”
The Citizen Free Press tweeted, “It’s disconcerting to realize NBC is actively censoring a player praising Jesus after a massive win. Would NBC have censored his speech if he praised transgenders or Palestinians?” and it is impossible to know the answer to that question.
What seems certain, however, is that Stroud will continue to praise Jesus even if his words are edited for television.
